This Is BrukOut! Seani B speaks to Ms Desire

Out to bring her version of ‘island pop’ to the masses, Ms Desire talks about tackling the gender imbalance within soca circles...

Written by Seani B
07/09/2017 08:45 PM

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SOCA GIRL: Ms Desire hopes that her take on soca will make it more popular

SOCA HAS always been a different world to break into. Being taken as a serious contender around the globe is no easy task. It is definitely a male orientated genre, and being based in the Caribbean gives you an undoubted edge.

Step up Ms Desire, a young female Soca artist based here in the UK and someone who is ready to embrace the challenges that lie ahead.

She doesn’t lack confidence – “I’m an international artist, not just Soca, as I go through a few genres. I like to call it Caribbean riddims on a mainstream vibe, or island pop as it has been called”, she tells me.

Her debut album, “Desire”, has just been released by international label VP Records and has had an impressive first week in the market.

“My heritage is from Barbados - Bajans are exposed to a lot of music – radio plays island music like Dancehall and Soca, but also a lot of American music. This allows us to merge so many styles in our music and try something new.”

Listening to the album you can tell that she has the range of “full on” vocal numbers to non stop party tracks. She went on to explain her influences to me.

“I’m heavily swayed by vocalists because I love to sing – two favourites are Mariah Carey and the Queen, Beyonce. When I was younger I went to Barbados for Crop Over and I was exposed to Soca on a larger scale.

ON A MISSION: Ms Desire

The international success of the genre seems to come in fits and starts – tracks like Kevin Lyttle’s “Turn Me On” or her fellow countrywoman Alison Hinds’ “Roll It Gal” have longevity in the market place, but some of the more recent hits in the core haven’t had the ability or opportunity to cross to a wider audience.

“The biggest issue facing Soca at the moment is the lack of exposure to the market. It is still seen as seasonal music, but now there are enough activities to sustain activity all year round across the world”, she states. “There are a lot of songs out there which have potential, but just don’t get exposure.”

Exposure should come a bit easier for Ms Desire now. With the album being distributed on all of the global platforms it gives her a real shot at making a valuable impression, particularly as a UK artist.

“The main issue with being based in London is that many of the subjects matters we sing about aren’t known by the majority who haven’t been to Barbados. However, I feel I can teach people about our culture through the music I make”

Her yearning to put the album out was strong – it was eight years in the making and sets the bar for what she hopes will be an incredible 2018 onwards.

Her power moves don’t end behind the mic – she wants to be a role model for the next generation of female entrepreneurs.

“This music is so male dominated – it’s the same in most genres, but I see it as a challenge.
I feel I can represent the ladies, definitely behind the scenes too. Positions of power are usually undertaken by men and sometimes as a woman they don’t always take you seriously. You need to perfect your own craft”, she says confidently.

Another venture is Infinite Mas, a carnival band for Notting Hill Carnival, which takes care of everything from costumes to creating an immeasurable experience. “My goal for Infinite Mas is to grow and continue to add to the our culture. I would also love for us to branch out and start having sections in carnivals all around the world.”

Regardless of whether it’s business or music, Ms. Desire is stepping into her own and not letting anything stand in the way she envisions life for herself.

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Posted on: 07/09/2017 08:45 PM

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